Feature
Hundreds bid farewell to the Late Tui Vuda
Suva city came to a standstill in the last hour as hundreds lined the streets to get a glimpse of the chiefly cortege and bid farewell to the late former President and Tui Vuda Ratu Josefa Iloilo.
Fijivillage was at hand to witness the funeral cortege pass through the city centre and witnessed hundreds dressed in black paying their respects.
A father of three, Ratu Isoa Dau, said that since he worked in the city centre, this was the only way for him to pay his respects to the late Tui Vuda as he would not be able to attend the funeral in the chiefly village of Viseisei.
Maria Salu, who took time out of her busy schedule, said she wanted her daughter to witness this historic moment for Fiji.
After traveling through Suva, the cortege then arrived at the old Government Supplies building at Walu Bay.
With drum beats continuing in the background, the draped casket of the late Tui Vuda was transferred from the Gun Carriage to the chiefly hearse.
Employees from the National Fire Authority, Government Supplies, Motibhai Group and Telecom Fiji filled both sides of the road and bowed their heads in respect as the hearse passed by.
The late Ratu Iloilo’s chiefly hearse has now started its journey to Viseisei.
The cortege is expected to arrive in Viseisei at 4 o’clock this afternoon, and the casket will be taken to Vunisei, the chiefly home of the late Tui Vuda.
Villages along the Queens Road are expected to line up along the highway as the chiefly hearse passes by.
Sigatoka Town is also expected to come to a standstill this hour as preparations are underway to welcome the chiefly cortege and pay their last respects to the late Tui Vuda.
Town clerk Anand Pillay said they have started decorating the Melrose Bridge to the roundabout from this morning in a traditional manner with Masi, Tapa and black cloths.
Pillay added they have sent a circular to business houses in Sigatoka to close their business for two hours starting 12.30pm as a sign of respect for the late former President.
Nadi administrator Aisea Tuidraki said they have received a directive from the State to close Nadi Town from 2pm to 3.30pm today.
Traditional decorations are also underway.
The Lautoka and Ba Town Councils are also having similar preparations.
In Nadi, the 9 villages in the Tikina Nadi and Tikina Sikituru with the Tui Nadi as the traditional head, are currently meeting and will present their i-reguregu to the late Tui Vuda Ratu Josefa Iloilo at 2 o’clock this afternoon at Viseisei village.
Setareki Dakubu confirmed that the villages situated along the main road, namely Namotomoto, Navoci and Narewa have been told to observe absolute silence and to sit on the roadside as the cortege passes by.
Dakubu added that all schools in Nadi will break at midday and students will line the streets in respect for the late Tui Vuda.
Story by: Paradise and Filipe Naikaso
